BEAR Discussions

Join host Charlie Walker and co-host Laura Bushendorf for an insightful conversation with Superintendent Jeffrey Holmes and key members of the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District (CFAUSD) leadership team. Discover how the CFAUSD—under Holmes’s stewardship—is actively collaborating with local entrepreneurs and businesses to foster workforce readiness, boost innovation, and strengthen commun...

In this episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast, host Charlie Walker and co-host Casey Hedrington sit down with Amy Cummings from UW–Eau Claire Continuing Education. They talk about how continuing education plays a vital role in workforce development, upskilling opportunities, and lifelong learning across the Chippewa Valley. From professional certificates to customized business training, Amy shar...

In this episode of the BEAR Discussions podcast, host Charlie Walker and cohost Casey Hedrington sit down with Bailey Decker, owner of EC Laser and Fab in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Bailey shares his journey from concept to creation, highlighting what it takes to launch a precision fabrication business in the Chippewa Valley. You'll hear firsthand how the company is navigating tariffs, embracing AI an...

Join host Charlie Walker for a heartwarming conversation with Karen Smith, owner of Heart Blossom Quilt Shop in Sand Creek, and the tight-knit crafting community she’s helped create. Karen shares how her passion for quilting grew into a thriving small business—one that stitches together creativity, connection, and community support. From the joys of bringing people together to the challenges of en...

In this episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast, host Charlie Walker engages with Sylvie Nelson, President & CEO of SDN Innovation and Adirondack Executive Services. Sylvie shares her extensive experience in workforce development, emphasizing the importance of community involvement, innovation, and equity in shaping the future economy. The conversation explores her advocacy for accessible, aff...

In this episode of BEAR Discussions, hosts Charlie Walker and Lisa Bruhn sit down with Jason Troxell, President of Aspirus Health, for an insightful conversation on what it means to build, work from, and lead with values in today’s healthcare landscape. Jason shares how Aspirus Health stays mission-focused, fosters a values-driven culture, and remains committed to the communities it serves.

Born and raised in Chippewa Falls, Jordan Stoll didn’t expect a pandemic-era hobby to turn into a full-fledged business. But when he was reconnected with his childhood love for trading cards during COVID, it sparked something bigger. Now, as one of three co-owners of The Slab Factory, Jordan helps lead a growing operation that buys, sells, and grades sports and Pokémon cards with precision and pas...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Ryder from Rands Trucking to talk about playing to your strengths, the power of face-to-face connection, and finding the right audience for your business. Whether you're growing a company or building relationships, Joe shares real-world insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast, we sit down with Katelynn Taylor, the founder of Good Ass Day, to explore her journey of building a brand that’s all about positivity and purpose. From the inspiration behind her business to the challenges she’s overcome, Katelynn shares how she’s cultivated a movement that resonates with people seeking joy and authenticity. Tune in for an uplifting...

In this special bonus episode, host Charlie Walker sits down with Chase Hoople, General Manager of Valley Sports Academy (VSA), to discuss the upcoming CEDC Collaborative Showcase. Recorded prior to the event, they delve into VSA's commitment to fostering innovation in sports training and its impact on the Chippewa Valley community. Learn more about the event in our blog:  Fostering Innovation: Th...

Jeffrey Dirks, co-founder of The Dirks Group, joins Charlie to talk about what it takes to build a strong business and an even stronger team. What started as a home-based IT startup in 1999 has grown into a leading tech services company with offices in Wausau and Eau Claire, serving over 400 customers.

In this episode of BEAR Discussions, co-hosts Lisa Bruhn and Ken Pearson join Charlie Walker as he sits down with Stephanie Pusateri to explore her journey into the world of massage therapy. Stephanie shares the key steps she took to launch her business, from education and certification to building a client base and overcoming challenges as an entrepreneur. Tune in for valuable insights, experienc...

In this episode, Charlie and Lisa sit down with Alisha Hanson, Co-Founder and CEO of Althea Medical Group, to explore her groundbreaking approach to primary care in the Chippewa Valley.

In this episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast, we sit down with the 'Egg Roll Chick,' an inspiring entrepreneur who turned her passion for cooking into a thriving business. Discover how she crafted her unique brand, overcame challenges, and built a loyal following one delicious egg roll at a time. Her journey is a recipe for success you won’t want to miss!

Join us as Christina Funk, founder of MetabolicCareNP, shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey and her mission to smash the silos in metabolic care. Discover how her innovative approach to healthcare won her the CEDC Hatch Competition and led to the creation of a groundbreaking medical practice. Christina discusses how MetabolicCareNP is transforming the way we approach metabolic health by in...

In this episode of the BEAR Discussions podcast, host Charlie Walker is joined by Garret Zastoupil, PhD, Community and Leadership Development Educator with UW-Madison Extension. They explore the often-overlooked resources available through the UW-Madison Extension across Wisconsin. Garret shares how Extension programs across Wisconsin are helping individuals and communities in so many amazing ways...

Host Charlie Walker chats with entrepreneur Susan Ramonat about resilience, the value of hard work, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. They discuss teamwork, finding the right co-founder, the importance of mentorship, navigating technological advancements, and fostering human connection in a digital world.

Join host Charlie Walker and co-host Lisa Bruhn as they explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity with guest Adam Czub from Darktrace. This episode covers a variety of protection services and advice, along with insights into AI-driven security solutions. It's especially important for entrepreneurs, business startups, and existing organizations to pay attention to their cybersecurity from the...

In this episode of the BEAR Podcast, host Charlie Walker sits down with Doug Ebert, Vice President of Operations at Core Cabling & Integration. Doug shares his insights on how businesses and entreprenuers should address their physical security concerns. He explains critical role security plays in modern infrastructure, the challenges of managing business expansion projects, and how Core Cablin...

Join host Charlie Walker as he talks with Rudy Nigl and Mike White about their fascinating journey in developing a software solution for entrepreneurs and businesses. Discover how their innovative approach enhances accountability, culture, and team building within work teams.

In this episode, host Charlie Walker and co-host Lisa Bruhn sit down with Jason Roets, Owner of Evolution Custom Homes , to explore his journey to becoming a successful homebuilder. Jason shares the challenges he overcame, the lessons learned along the way, and his vision for the future. Tune in to gain insights into what it truly takes to build a new home from the ground up!

Host Charlie Walker, joined by co-host Ken Pearson, leads an engaging discussion on the future of agriculture and education in the Chippewa Valley. In this episode, we welcome Teryn Close and her father, Jamie Close, who share their perspectives on the importance of agricultural education. Teryn, who studied at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), offers her insights on how her education has...

Join host Charlie Walker as he dives deep in the concept of leveraging volunteers for your business. They can be an effective way to boost productivity, expand reach, and build community engagement, especially in organizations like nonprofits and business community projects. With Co-Host Teryn Close discover the passionate volunteers and dedicated people behind the Chippewa Farm Technology Days. D...

Host, Charlie Walker, and CEDC board member Karen Smith of Security Bank engage in a conversation with Jake Zwieflhofer, Owner and agronomist of Red Cedar Agronomy. Listen in as Jake discusses his path to business ownership, the struggles he faced, and what the future holds!

Join host Charlie Walker as he converses with Bruce Mlsna, CEO of River Country Coop. Bruce shares his journey to leadership, detailing the growth and achievements of River Country Coop. Learn about the diverse range of services they offer and their commitment to inclusivity and innovation.